RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina wineries have been waiting all summer for this. The 2019, N.C. State Fair Wine Competition culminated Monday, Oct. 21 with a live, Best of Show judging at the fair. The first part of the wine competition was held this summer. For the Best of Show, the top wines from that event were compared by a panel of experts to determine the best wines in the state.
Best of Show awards were given in three categories – Bunch Grape, Muscadine Grape and Fruit and Honey. This year’s Best of Show winners:
- Bunch Grapes: Sanctuary Vineyards, Handcrafted Cabernet France “La Maison Grise” 2015
- Muscadine: Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery – Electric Pelican
- Fruit/Honey/Other: Winery at Catawba Farms – Bunker Hill Covered Bridge Red Blend 2018
Winners will be on display in the Education Building throughout the remainder of the fair.
North Carolina is home to more than 200 wineries and 500 commercial grape growers. The wine and grape industry contributes $1.97 billion to the state’s economy. While North Carolina is known for its native Muscadine grape, it is now home to dozens of varieties of non-native, European-style grapes and hybrids that produce award-winning wines for every palate. More information about N.C. wine is available at www.ncwine.org.
A list of all Commercial wine winners is found online at the N.C. State Fair website under competitions and winners search.
–Whit Winslow, N.C. Wine and Grape Growers Council